EATON — The Eaton Community Schools Board of Education met on Monday, Dec. 12, for its regular monthly meeting, the last of the year.

The meeting opened with the recognition of several students. All fall athletic teams and individuals were recognized for an “outstanding” season. The Eaton Board of Education and Administration wished to “commend them on their outstanding sportsmanship and representation of Eaton Community schools.

Specifically, two students were congratulated:

• Seth Gard for qualifying for the OHSAA Division II State Cross County Meet.
• Sarah Willis as the OHSAA Division II Girls Golf State Champion.

Under visitor recognition, Aaron Buczkowski, Eaton High School Credit Recovery Teacher, spoke. He started by explaining the Credit Recovery program: “This is a program that was conceived by the administration to help youth who are at risk,” he said. “There are several in the Eaton community who are at risk for one reason or another. The purpose of this program is to advance them in their academic career, but to also advance them personally and try to make them more solid citizens.”

One way this program seeks to help students academically and personally is through the work-study program. These students are able to work in the community to earn credit. These students are enrolled in an additional course to help them decide their future goals.

In other business, the board discussed the idea of implementing a consent agenda for 2017. This is a topic they have discussed for the past several years, but no motion has been made in implementing it. The idea is to put clerical topics on the consent agenda so meetings can be more efficient. It will require the board to carefully prepare for the meetings so they can approve of every topic on the agenda.

To move forward, it was agreed the agenda will be implemented on a trial basis and employment would not be included. The topics included will be left to Treasurer Rachel Tait and Superintendent Dr. Barbara Curry to decide in the coming weeks.

School officials also recommended a resolution declaring an urgent necessity and retroactively waiving certain statutory competitive bidding requirements with respect to corrective work completed at the Eaton High School.

Shifting concrete at the north, south and west entrances at the high school damaged the doors and vestibules, creating unsafe conditions. Last year, ECS hired ProGrade Excavation & Demolition LLC to investigate the causes, to determine what needed done, and issued a purchase order for immediate commencement of the corrective work. The cost of the corrective work has exceeded the bidding threshold of $25,000, causing a need to retroactively declare the corrective work to be an “urgent necessity” and waive the statutory competitive bidding requirements.

The total cost of corrective work will be $153,926.67.

During New Business several employment changes were discussed.

Resignations and retirements included: Duane Grimme, bus driver, effective Feb. 28, 2017; Mary Neavin, teacher, effective May 31, 2017; and Susan Wike, Level Leader Grade 3, effective Nov. 16.

The board voted to amend a resolution to reflect the employment of Bo Maggard as the High School Assistant Wrestling Coach.

Board members also amended the job description for the Director of Technology. The position now reports to the superintendent or designee, must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and must possess and maintain a high level of ethical behavior. The term of employment is now a 260-day annual contract.

There were several other topics discussed under new business:

• The board approved a Rental Agreement with Miami University for the use of Millett Hall for Eaton High School graduation on Saturday, June 3, 2017, and for rehearsal on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
• The board approved a public service agreement with Miami University to provide up to four police officers for security services at a rate of $35 per hour per officer.
• The board approved an agreement to participate in the 2017 Dayton Area School Application System Consortium coordinated through the Montgomery County Educational Service Center.
• The board approved renewal of the service agreement with SchoolDude FSDirect, effective Feb. 2, 2017.
• The board approved Youth Cheerleading Camp, grades K-6, Jan. 13-14, 2017.
• The board approved acceptance of the donation from Remagen, Inc., to Eaton Football.

The annual organizational meeting of the Board of Education shall be held at Hollingsworth East Elementary prior to the regular business meeting on Jan. 9, 2017 at 6 p.m., with the regular meeting to immediately follow.

Lisa Noble was selected as President Pro Tempore from Jan. 1-9, 2017, with Terry Parks appointed Vice President Pro Tempore from Jan. 1-9, 2017.

The next Eaton Community Schools Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at Hollingsworth-East Elementary School.